The tunnel to the track.
Montjeu stood with her arms crossed, silently finishing El Condor Pasa's pre-race interview. "A duel, is it?"
Her voice held nothing but composure. As an Uma Musume standing at the pinnacle of the world, she had encountered many opponents who used pre-race interviews as a psychological tactic.
Naturally, she wasn't about to let a simple media clip alter her strategy or shake her mindset.
Besides...
Japan's number one, Barbatos, was undoubtedly a competitor worth watching in this race.
On the other side of the tunnel, the trio from America stood together in a relaxed circle.
Fuma shook her head, a look of indifference on her face. "Are we being ignored?"
It was one thing to be left out of the top three in the popularity polls for the Japan Cup, but to be completely brushed aside by El Condor Pasa—who had just won the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe—was another.
It seemed that even an Uma Musume born in America would have her horizons narrowed after growing up in a tiny place like Japan.
The top three favorites for the Japan Cup were decided by a Japanese public that viewed the Arc as the greatest race in the world.
The popularity votes for Montjeu and El Condor Pasa went without saying, both easily surpassing the million mark.
As for the one holding the number one spot, Japan's "best"... she was nothing more than a clown putting on a show.
Fuma and her team didn't say it aloud, but that was exactly what they thought.
It was no secret to them that the bulk of Barbatos's fans came from overseas, specifically from the League of Legends and Genshin communities.
Titas, standing next to Fuma with her hair in twin tails, patted her teammate on the shoulder. "In a moment, we'll show them what our trio is capable of."
"We'll let them see what a real Zone and a real Lead-of-the-Pack style look like."
Titas, whose muscles were lean and powerful, had a flicker of doubt in her eyes.
The Japanese Uma Musume should have studied their past race data and intel. Why would they still talk about a "duel"? Looking back at the interview footage, that notebook was already more than half-full.
At first glance, it didn't seem like much, but upon reflection, Titas noticed something critical: El Condor Pasa's tone wasn't just an invitation to a duel; it felt more like she was issuing a desperate challenge to Barbatos.
She considered warning her two teammates but ultimately kept her mouth shut.
She had confidence in their squad's strength. None of them were inferior to Montjeu; they were all top-tier competitors who traded wins and losses.
One could even say they had reached the absolute limit of what an Uma Musume could achieve, standing at the very peak of the world.
In history, the number of Uma Musume stronger than them could be counted on one hand. Japan's Symboli Rudolf was one...
As for the modern era? There were none. Titas had watched Barbatos's last two race videos, and in her eyes, the girl was merely on their level.
As Titas's thoughts drifted, the pre-race interview for the crowd favorite, Barbatos, began to play.
In the video, Barbatos was indoors, her arms held straight out as people measured her with tape.
Aside from the staff taking measurements, there were two professionals in suits—a man and a woman—present in the room.
The woman in the suit spoke up: "Our new racing silks will be finished by tomorrow. We hope you will wear this new design for the Japan Cup."
New racing silks?
Everyone watching the interview froze.
Barbatos had prepared a new outfit specifically for the Japan Cup? Were these people the local Japanese staff for Genshin?
It was no secret to players that Barbatos's silks were a collaboration with the game; after all, Barbatos and the Anemo Archon in the game shared a striking resemblance.
But why was this footage being used as a pre-race interview?
The audience couldn't wrap their heads around it, and the competing Uma Musume were just as confused.
"I mean, I could..."
In the video, Barbatos agreed readily, but then her tone shifted playfully. "But it'll cost you extra!"
The woman in the suit didn't seem surprised by the request.
"In addition to our previously negotiated price, all proceeds from the Genshin collaboration skins and related merchandise will be yours. Furthermore, you will receive a 50% cut of all future revenue from the Barbatos character and signature weapon banners."
"Beyond that, we will launch an official Genshin livestream. Anyone watching the Japan Cup in the stream to cheer for you will receive Primogem rewards, and all livestream revenue will go directly to you."
Barbatos's face showed a hint of "surprise." "You have that much faith in me?"
"Of course."
The interview ended there.
There wasn't a single word about the Japan Cup itself, but everyone—whether they understood the business side or not—was stunned.
Even on the surface, seeing a world-renowned game offer such a massive profit-sharing deal showed just how much the developers valued Barbatos.
Those who looked deeper saw it as a massive bet.
They believed Barbatos would definitely take first place in the Japan Cup, defeating the strongest champions from every other nation to reach the top.
If that happened, it would drive massive traffic to the game, making it even easier to break into overseas markets and attract global users.
In other words, the game's official team believed that in this Japan Cup—a gathering of the world's elite—Barbatos was the Uma Musume most likely to win!
Titas's brow furrowed.
She understood the underlying meaning, but she had never seen a commercial investment like this.
Usually, these things happened in private; they were never broadcasted to the world, let alone used as a pre-race interview.
Under these circumstances, it didn't feel like the game company was just investing—it felt like they were certain Barbatos would win the Japan Cup.
This wasn't just the company's confidence; it was the confidence of Barbatos herself, the strongest in Japan. By putting this interview out there, she had moved past simple declarations of victory.
If she lost now, she truly would look like a clown making a fool of herself.
One had to remember that in this year's Japan Cup, even if legends like Narita Brian or T.M. Opera O were here, a win would be far from guaranteed!
--+--
The Dressing Room.
White fabric edged with green, with slightly oversized sleeves covering her arms.
Short, crisp pants revealed her pale, powerful legs, and iron-shod boots were complemented by bandages wrapped neatly around her calves.
Wearing her new racing silks, Barbatos flashed a peace sign at the mirror and gave a cheeky wink with her right eye.
Compared to her previous outfit, this one felt more energetic—truly tailor-made for her.
"Looking pretty good."
She picked up the green-and-white gradient cape from the table, gave it a casual flick, and let it settle perfectly behind her shoulders.
"I almost want to say... with the name of the Hokage on my back, I cannot lose..."
"Ehe~"
"G1 win number eight... here I come!"
--+--
T/N: I have a Patreon! Webnovel will get 2 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.